Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Florida, said during a particularly spirited portion of the meeting that opponents of health care don't know what Americans think.

Washington (CNN) - The House Rules Committee began meeting Saturday to determine the official rules for the debate and vote on the health care overhaul, a day ahead of an expected House vote.

The committee is expected to determine whether the House will vote Sunday on a rule that would simply "deem" the Senate bill - a sweeping $875 billion reform plan that cleared the Senate in December - passed. The House then would proceed to a separate vote on another $65 billion in compromise changes to the measure.

"You all in the minority continue to say what the American people think," Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Florida, said during a particularly spirited portion of the meeting.

"You don't know what all of the American people think. And you certainly don't know what those in my constituency think."

If the Senate bill passes the House, Obama will sign it into law. If the package of changes is passed, it will be taken up by the Senate.

Freshmen House Republicans railed Saturday against the bill and the possible legislative mechanism Democrats may use to pass it.

"We're trying to vote on a bill without voting on a bill," Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer of Missouri said.

"While this might not be the first time 'deem and pass' has ever been is used in the House, I believe it is the first time that it's being used as an attempt to deceive the American people," said Rep. Lynn Jenkins of Kansas.

soundoff(77 Responses)

legalchic

He's right. Those in the minority claim to be in the majority. If they were in the majority, their candidate would have won and they'd have more power. They lost, and this is exactly why. Lies. Fear. Putting out fake memos. Trying to convince everyone that the system works just fine. Ignoring the fact that 62% (or more) of bankruptcies in this country are tied to medical debt. Not credit cards, or mortgages – MEDICAL DEBT. Private insurance is sucking the life out of this country, both figuratively and literally, and there are those who would have you believe that we should keep the status quo.

HCR will not be Obama's waterloo, despite best efforts by the GOP and Conservadems. It will be the GOP's albatross. To purposely want to kill this legislation for political reasons, without giving a second thought to your constituents and their struggles, borders on criminal.

March 20, 2010 04:22 pm at 4:22 pm |

TexEcon

I would be quite offended for a former federal judge who was impeached and removed from the bench for bribery and perjury to lecture me about anything.